Jackets power past Pioneers, 10-4

DEFIANCE, Ohio—The Defiance College Yellow Jackets downed the Transylvania University Pioneers 10-4 on Friday afternoon at Rutter Field to improve to 3-4 in the Heartland Conference..

Freshman Cory Bergfeld got the important Heartland Conference win for DC. Lenny Koesters and Jeremey Hawkins were both 3-for-4 with Koesters scoring three runs and driving in one. Hawkins drove in two runs and scored one himself. Eric Schwab contributed an RBI in a 2-for-5 performance, while Mike Hill scored twice in a 2-for-4 day at the plate.

Bergfeld went 4 1/3 innings, giving up two earned runs on six hits, while striking out two. Derek Hanson registered 4 2/3 innings in relief, striking out three and giving up one earned run on four hits.

The Pioneers committed four errors with three passed balls, three wild pitches and hit five batters.

After trailing 1-2 going into the fourth, the Jackets crossed three in the bottom of the inning, two on a Hawkins single to centerfield that scored Koesters and Hill. Eric Tipton scored previously on a wild pitch.

The Jackets added four runs in the sixth on two passed balls and RBI singles from Koesters and Schwab.

The Jackets are now 8-12 overall (3-4 HCAC) while the Pioneer fall to 11-10 overall and 2-5 in the Heartland Conference.

The two teams will tangle in a doubleheader tomorrow at Rutter Field with first pitch scheduled for noon.